FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.24.6

राज्ञां वृत्तिं करादानदण्डशुल्कादिदारुणाम् । मन्यमानो दीर्घसत्‍त्रव्याजेन विससर्ज ह ॥ ६ ॥
rājñāṁ vṛttiṁ karādāna-
[raajnaam vrittim karaadaana-]
daṇḍa-śulkādi-dāruṇām
[danda-shulkaadi-daarunaam]
manyamāno dīrgha-sattra-
[manyamaano deergha-sattra-]
vyājena visasarja ha
[vyaajena visasarja ha]
Word-for-word
rājñām — of the kings vṛttim — source of livelihood kara — taxes ādāna — realization daṇḍa — punishment śulka — fines ādi — etc. dāruṇām — which are very severe manyamānaḥ — thinking like that dīrgha — long sattra — sacrifice vyājena — on the plea visasarja — gave up ha — in the past.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
rājñāṁ vṛttiṁ karādāna-
rājñām
of the kings
vṛttim
source of livelihood
kara
taxes
ādāna
realization
daṇḍa-śulkādi-dāruṇām
daṇḍa
punishment
śulka
fines
ādi
etc.
dāruṇām
which are very severe
manyamāno dīrgha-sattra-
manyamānaḥ
thinking like that
dīrgha
long
sattra
sacrifice
vyājena visasarja ha
vyājena
on the plea
visasarja
gave up
ha
in the past.
Whenever Antardhāna, the supreme royal power, had to exact taxes, punish his citizens or fine them severely, he was not willing to do so. Consequently he retired from the execution of such duties and engaged himself in the performance of different sacrifices.
Purport

It is clear herein that the king sometimes has to perform duties which are not very desirable just because he is the king. Similarly, Arjuna was not at all willing to fight because fighting or killing one’s own kinsmen and family members is not at all desirable. Nonetheless, the kṣatriyas had to perform such undesirable actions as a matter of duty. Mahārāja Antardhāna was not very happy while exacting taxes or punishing the citizens for their criminal activities; therefore, on the plea of performing sacrifices, he retired from the royal majestic power at a very early age.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Antardhāna gave up the duties of the King such as receiving taxing, punishment and fines, since he thought they were giving suffering to the people, on the plea of performing a long sacrifice. He gave up the King’s duties because he though they were causing suffering.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
When he had to tax, punish, or fine citizens, he didn't want to — so he retired from those duties and turned to sacrifices. Some souls don't have the stomach for hard kingship; the dharmic move is to hand it off and serve in another mode.
Reflection Questions
  • Which duty in my role doesn't suit my nature, and have I considered transferring it?
  • Where am I forcing myself into a function someone else would do better and more cleanly?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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